► Photos: Lewis Carnival procession
The new look Lewis carnival was a big hit with islanders and tourists on Saturday.
Crowds enjoyed the popular summer event in Stornoway which relocated from its traditional spot in South Beach carpark to Perceval Square.
Good weather helped boost numbers and the new location was less crammed.
Spectators lined the streets as a parade of colourful lorries and people in fancy dress wound through Stornoway town centre.
Children's activities, stalls and games were popular attractions while the biggest queue was for the Stornoway Seafari boat rides round the harbour and lighthouse.
Cash raised from the carnival will be split amongst Stornoway RNLI lifeboat and Sèimh, a local group which supports bereaved parents whose baby has died.
As well as 18 stalls in the town hall there was also a popular kids play area.
► Photos: Lewis Carnival procession
Carnival committee member Victoria Silver said: “There’s been a great turnout -
With a decline in numbers of decorated floats taking part “we put a lot of effort
into persuading people to put on floats -
“They made an incredible effort on the floats It is amazing.
“We relocated to Perceval Square hoping it would work with the fun fair and the European market on either side,” she added.
“It was a good move.”
In advance it was “hard to figure out” how the space would work but the change was very successful and allows for improvements next year.
South Beach was “more exposed” to the weather while the new location is “more sheltered, has a nice view of the castle and is more aesthetically pleasing.”
One bonus was the extra parking in town as South Beach carpark remained open.
New look carnival a roaring success
7 August 2017
